Athletes' Transition Tools for Achieving Horizons (ATTACH-U)

Basic data for this project

Description

The Athletes’ Transition Tools for Achieving Horizons - ATTACH-U project addresses the critical need for supporting athletes in their transition to post-sport careers. Elite athletes often face significant challenges upon retirement, including identity loss, mental health issues, and financial insecurity. The project aims to enhance employability and lifelong learning opportunities for retired athletes, fostering their social inclusion and enabling them to reintegrate into non-sporting careers. The project builds on existing dual career support structures and introduces innovative career transition programs. Key outcomes include the development of three tailored career pathways - entrepreneurship, coaching, and B2B sales - along with pilot testing and continuous improvement of these pathways. Additionally, digital tools for career transition support are created. The project actively promotes transnational cooperation and cross-sectoral collaboration among sports organizations, educational institutions, and businesses. Key findings are refined into policy recommendations for sports federations and education providers. The ATTACH-U project has a multifaceted impact. It empowers athletes to assume new societal roles, enhancing their personal and professional development. By addressing various business-oriented themes, the project enables athletes to leverage skills acquired in sports for their careers. Additionally, it fosters community engagement and promotes inclusion and diversity, ensuring that athletes from all backgrounds receive support for career transitions. Overall, the ATTACH-U project aims to create a sustainable model for supporting retiring athletes, with the potential to be replicated across EU member states, thereby enhancing the quality of support systems for retired athletes and contributing to broader societal goals of lifelong learning, employability, and social inclusion.